Mehnaaz Ahmed
Summary
Experienced marketer with a passion for understanding people's needs, bringing impactful global and local brands to market. Strong B2C and B2B capabilities across industries.
Proven track record in developing unique brand strategies, executing campaigns, and managing P&Ls in line with objectives. Consistently meeting KPI's and growing share. Skilled in leading cross-functional teams and managing marketing teams ensuring we deliver project success and within budget. Creative thinker, fast learner and innovator, with a track record in elevating brands and teams to the next level. Recognized as a top talent at Johnson & Johnson, winning Managing Director and regional awards. Seeking transition back onto client side within marketing and brand management roles.
Organized and dependable, successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude, a partner seeking the best for the business and society.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Brand Strategist
Uberbrand
07.2021 - Current
- Lead strategist, helping clients to formulate strong and differentiating brand/product strategies, propositions and brand idea's that differentiates them in market
- Entailing - brand research and analysis, brand workshops, brand models, brand positioning, brand / product value propositions, brand architecture, brand identity, naming, product strategy, product direction, marketing strategy, messaging matrix, communications plans, content pillars, communications platforms, campaign concepts
- Completed work for a range of finance, technology, government and community companies - LJ Hooker, Canon Business Services, MoneyMe, Metrics Credit Partners, Equifax, GBG, CBAA, End Game, Parramatta Aquatic to name a few
Brand Manager Adult & Aged-Care
Kimberly Clark
02.2020 - 06.2021
- Led the development and cross functional team towards 5year brand innovation, brand plans and campaigns across both consumer and B2B businesses for the Adult Personal Care and Aged Care categories (Depend and Poise brands)
- Identified the gap in market and led the innovation team and launched Depend night defense men and women range in ANZ
- Developed digital and content strategy and campaigns across all mediums (digital, website, edm, social, tv, retailer)
- B2B marketing for aged-care clients - marketing strategy, innovation, packaging, training strategy and collateral
- Managed budgets, P&Ls and product plans
Marketing Manager
Balmoral
03.2018 - 01.2020
- Led the marketing team to develop a new brand identity, marketing plan and content strategy
- Managed online store updates and developed and managed all communications plans and platforms
- Developed annual campaigns including - digital, website, lead gen ads, EDMs, WhatsAPP, Social media and radio platforms
- All marketing concept, design, analytical work and management of social platforms done in-house
Insight Strategist & Client Liaison
The Consumer Insight Agency (CIA)
06.2017 - 03.2018
- Company Overview: The CIA is a highly rated ethnographic design thinking led, ethnographic qualitative insights research agency in Sub Saharan Africa
- Develop brand and marketing strategies based on a design thinking approach for clients
- Assisted clients in honing in on their needs
- Directing the CIA field and strategic team to develop insightful strategic brand plan based on consumer insights
- The CIA is a highly rated ethnographic design thinking led, ethnographic qualitative insights research agency in Sub Saharan Africa
Group Brand Manager Women's Health Stayfree & Savlon Anti-Septic Anti-Bacterial Brand
Johnson & Johnson
08.2016 - 06.2017
- Portfolio leader of Women's & Self Care
- Managing brand teams for Stayfree & Savlon Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) region
- Reported to Marketing Director of SSA, worked closely with Managing Director and Regional Director on 5 year strategic brand growth plans and manage brand team to deliver annual brand marketing communications and launch execution plans
- Oversee and owner of brand strategy, brand planning, business unit, profit, share and annual targets
- Oversee execution, strategy and innovation of Stayfree & Savlon brand teams
Senior Brand Manager OTC Cough
Johnson & Johnson
07.2015 - 08.2016
- Selected to lead global roll-out for Doktor Mom in Africa & Middle East
- First country outside of Russia to launch Doktor Mom Herbal Cough Syrup Brand in Sub-Saharan Africa and Middle East
- Developed the strategic roll-out plan and creative execution that would set the benchmark for other markets to follow
- Launched within record time of 8 months, leading a cross functional global and local project team
- Developed strategy, marketing plan and content plan
- Developed education and training material and collateral for pharmacy sales teams and education material for consumers
- Marketing initiatives involved press, TV, in-store shopper plan, digital, social media campaigns and sales collateral
Brand Manager Johnsons Baby
Johnson & Johnson
07.2009 - 06.2015
- Manage the business unit for Johnson's Baby, leading key brands and teams in the portfolio
- Involving brand strategy, brand planning and innovation development, P&L management, market share ownership, and campaign management
- Key strengths & achievements: Enhancing growth plans exceeding share targets
- Turning consumer insights into innovative products and brand strategies
- Launched numerous successful innovations, doubling share growth and developed award winning campaigns
Marketing Assistant Roc & Neutrogena
Johnson and Johnson
07.2008 - 07.2009
- RoC and Neutrogena management of instore, PR, Sampling & quarterly brand plans
- Led the Neutrogena Visibly Clear launch
- Led the RoC Multi-Correction and ROC Anti-Cellulite launch
- Department & pharmacy in-store marketing and POS material
- Press & beauty editor launches on big scale
- Press releases, advertorial content
Junior Research Exec
TNS Research Surveys
01.2008 - 04.2008
- Part of the junior trainee programme
- Worked on Standard Bank and Woolworth's Research quantitative tracker
- Assisted in formulation of graphs and learned the quantitative research process, questionnaire development and understanding how to analyse and develop graph data
- Assisted the qualitative team on various group studies, learned how to setup groups, dealing with moderators and the flow required for qualitative research
Account Executive
Saatchi & Saatchi
01.2006 - 01.2007
- Worked under the Group Account Director, Client liaison for agency, manage the process of campaigns both within the agency and with client from start to finish
- Accounts handled in my portfolio ATL, BTL & DIGITAL
- BoE - Financial Private Wealth: Brand identity, awareness campaigns for print, TV, radio, digital, direct and events all year through
- Markham clothing- Instore, TV, Direct Mail
- Foschini RCS:One 2 One -Launch of Pilot Cellular Division November 2006 Instores
- Engen:Forecourt Promotions, TV, Direct, Print
- Saldanha Pilchards:Brand Awareness: TV, Instore, Vehicles branding
- Azzaro Clothing:Launch of Paris Menswear range to South Africa (January 2007)
- Operation Smile SA (NGO):First mission in Southern Africa - design press kits, T-shirts and help obtain Sponsors
- Dance for Life SA HIV and AIDS (NGO): Develop elements for Dance for Life Event November 2006 in Durban: Develop Banners, Invitations and flyers
Education
Post Graduate Management in Marketing -
University of Cape Town
12.2007
Post Graduate Management Program in Marketing and Advertising Communications -
Red & Yellow Advertising School
12.2005
Bachelor of Arts - Film & Media Studies
University of Cape Town
12.2004
Skills
- Customer and Commercial mindset
- Portfolio and group brand management
- Cross functional team leader and manager
- Staff management
- Insights led thinking
- KPI tracking
- Marketing planning and management
- Digital marketing , CRM
- Social media marketing
- Communications planning, content development
- Product development and launch
- Marketing campaign development
- Project management
- Marketing Analytics - Research insight and data analysis
- Commercial Acumen - P&L, Forecasting, Budget management, Market Share management
- Strong Communication and Presentation skills
- Market Research (Qual and Quant)
- Innovative & Creative thinker
- Collaborative team player and leader
- Strong work ethic
- Ability to manage large volume of work
Personal Information
- Nationality: South African Australian
- Driving License: True
Timeline
Brand Strategist
Uberbrand
07.2021 - Current
Brand Manager Adult & Aged-Care
Kimberly Clark
02.2020 - 06.2021
Marketing Manager
Balmoral
03.2018 - 01.2020
Insight Strategist & Client Liaison
The Consumer Insight Agency (CIA)
06.2017 - 03.2018
Group Brand Manager Women's Health Stayfree & Savlon Anti-Septic Anti-Bacterial Brand
Johnson & Johnson
08.2016 - 06.2017
Senior Brand Manager OTC Cough
Johnson & Johnson
07.2015 - 08.2016
Brand Manager Johnsons Baby
Johnson & Johnson
07.2009 - 06.2015
Marketing Assistant Roc & Neutrogena
Johnson and Johnson
07.2008 - 07.2009
Junior Research Exec
TNS Research Surveys
01.2008 - 04.2008
Account Executive
Saatchi & Saatchi
01.2006 - 01.2007
Post Graduate Management Program in Marketing and Advertising Communications -
Red & Yellow Advertising School
Bachelor of Arts - Film & Media Studies
University of Cape Town
Post Graduate Management in Marketing -
University of Cape Town
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